Visitors Review

olledanelius (2012-05-24 11:41)

Amazing

Not a lot of people have seen this wonderful movie yet, which is why Ifeel like it is my obligation to tell those of you who have not, thatyou definitely should.Growing up in Sweden I guess there are people that know a lot moreabout the culture surrounding high school football in America andalthough I am a big football fan, the same is probably true for thesport itself as well. That said I think my point of view from theoutside just goes to show that you do not have to be an Americangrowing up in a football family to love this movie because it is aboutso much more than football.

vink0286 (2012-05-24 05:17)

Nice feel good movie

First of all I would like to say that I like these types of stories soI am a bit bias. It's the story about, in this case a man, who is notsatisfied with his life or at least so he thinks and who gets anopportunity to do it all over again. In this case it deals with a manwho had a promising future as a footballplayer but whose leg getsinjured in the finale game of the season that ended that prospect. Nowhe is farming soybeans and things don't go as planned. As I stated afamiliar story with an ending that will not surprise the seasonedmoviegoer. Never the less it's a really nice movie to watch it nevergets too touchy feely and stuff, it has some nice humor in it and theacting goes from oke to good. Seeing Kurt Russel play in a movie isnever a bad thing also I have to admit. I consider him a fantasticactor. In fact I think this movie would have been better if he hadplayed the older character instead of the coach because Brian Presleydoes not have the looks of neither a high school student nor that of afather of 2 kids. Don't get me wrong he does not do a bad job I am justnot buying it thats all but that is just my personal opinion. In all anice movie without any real surprises but if you like feel good moviesthen this one should give you that feeling. I surely felt it. To sumup, not truly original, nice acting and it leaves you with a warmfeeling inside, all in all not a bad effort. 6/10 from me.

Chris_Pandolfi (2012-05-22 20:22)

If I Could Do It All Over Again....

"Touchback" is not a compelling movie, although it is rife withcompelling ideas, which only makes processing my feelings for it thatmuch more difficult. It has some good things to say about the choiceswe make in life and learning to appreciate what we have; what's missingis a plot capable of supporting these messages fully. If you're goingto infuse an inspirational sports drama with the fantastical concept oftime travel, there's absolutely no call for half-heartedness. You haveto be completely audacious and commit to it fully. Otherwise, we in theaudience have no real reason to willingly suspend disbelief. To anextent, writer/director Don Handfield made an honest effort. The issueis, that extent should have been the entire film, not just specificscenes.Taking place in the blue-collar community of Coldwater, Ohio, where thepopulation seems permanently set at 2,700, it tells the story of ScottMurphy (Brian Presley), who was the star quarterback of his highschool's football team back in 1991. During the big game, his leg wasinjured beyond repair, forever ruining his chances of pursuing collegefootball, making a name for himself, and getting himself and hishard-working mother (Christine Lahti) out of Coldwater. Now in his latethirties with his left leg supported by a brace, he's a walled off andbitter man who numbs his pain with alcohol and grueling volunteerfirefighting. He'll stare at old home videos of his games withoutreally seeing them, and he'll secretly drive to a spot where he canwatch the current high school team practice.He's married to Macy (Melanie Lynskey), who was volunteering at thehospital at the time of his accident. With her, he has two youngdaughters, who only crave his affection. In a town that has nosedivedeconomically due to the closing of the local plant and the 2008recession, he has received a bad loan for acres of soybeans that aren'tgrowing fast enough and are about ready to fail. Unless he can turn aprofit in the course of one day, his home and all his land will beforeclosed. He has so much pride that he can't even bring himself totell Macy that they're in trouble. Knowing he has ruined not only hislife but also the life of his family, he drives to a remote spot,stuffs a rag into the exhaust pipe of his truck, gets back in, turns onthe ignition, and hits the accelerator. Black fumes seep in. A fewcoughs, and the screen fades to white.When Scott comes to, he realizes that his leg is no longer in a brace,that his beard is gone, that he's wearing jeans and a varsity jacket,and that everyone he once knew is back in his life again. Somehow, hehas been transported back to 1991. He's a high school student again!The catch is that he's aware of what will happen over the next twentyyears, which will make for some awkward conversational moments. Hereunites with his best friend (Marc Blucas) and his sexy high schoolflame (Sarah Wright), who, following the accident, will end up becomingan item. He also reunites with his coach (Kurt Russell), whose name,Hand, is an apt metaphor for his guiding words of wisdom. Mostimportantly, he will reunite with Macy, who at that stage of her lifewas a mousy member of the school band.I understand what the filmmakers are trying to do here. By making Scottaware that he has gone back in time, they're giving him the opportunityto reflect on his mistakes and alter his future – specifically duringthe big game, which he will play again. The point is to make him seethat life is about the living in the moment and not focusing on thepast or the future. The flaw is that Scott is lectured by charactersthat don't have the luxury of knowing what he already knows. I'm sureif any of them had gone back in time with Scott, they might have beenjust as tempted, if not more so, to change history. He is, of course,continuously sidetracked by his love for Macy. For her teenage self,this is a bit jarring; Scott has a hot cheerleader girlfriend and neveronce gave a plain girl like Macy the time of day. She has to wonderwhere this newfound affection is coming from.As well intentioned as it is, the film's positive, life-affirmingmessages are bogged down by an ending that provides plenty in the wayof emotional resolution but absolutely nothing in the way of logisticsor plausibility. I'm all for feel-good moments. In fact, I activelyseek them out. All the same, I prefer that they stem from scenes andsituations that actually make sense. And then there are theillusion-shattering casting choices, Presley, Blucas, Lynskey, andWright playing high school students despite the fact that they eachlook every bit as old as they actually are. Presley and Lynskey, forexample, are thirty-four, and Wright is twenty-eight. The most obviousis Blucas, who's now forty. "Touchback" has its heart in the rightplace, but it rarely uses its head.-- Chris Pandolfi (www.atatheaternearyou.net)

katy-247-158113 (2012-05-22 10:53)

starts slow gets better

It was a slow to get going movie, until an unusual twist about a thirdof the way in makes it get much better. Kurt Russell as always playshis part well. The part I can't understand with this movie, is thatwith an opportunity to change things, he didn't change much leavingeverything the same except for throw a pass to a player who had nevercaught one? but I guess that is why I don't write these movies. I nevercould understand why a high school football player places thosememories as the biggest or most important of their life. I am kind ofthinking big deal and who cares about these football days, but it doesmake for a decent movie, and it is unlike any of the others based onsimilar ideas. Not a must see but not a waste of time either. Worthwatching.

akb26 (2012-05-22 04:23)

An incredible twist to your everyday sports movie!

I loved this movie! A must see! Honestly, I would not have paid to seeit because the trailer was extremely hokey, which is why I am gratefulto have been given the opportunity to see a free advanced screening ofit. The trailed does this movie little if any justice. It usually takes a lot for me to like a movie, and I consider myself atough critic of both acting skills and story lines/plots. This movieexcelled in both areas! I even shed a few tears, which is a rarity!Don't be fooled by the lack of promotions, or noise about this movie. Iplan on purchasing it on DVD once its released. =) Take your friends and family to this enjoyable and heart-felt movie!You won't be disappointed! =)

jaemiewaters (2012-05-21 19:23)

best football movie ever

it is the best football movie ever in the whole world it is a must seemovie for everyone of all ages that is how good this movie is i neverwatched a movies like this in my whole life it was outstanding it wasincredible it was out of sire it was just one of the coolest moviesever created in the whole world but it was not as good as Hugo in 3Dnow that is the best movie ever created now go get your self a largepopcorn and watch this wonderful wonderful wonderful movie this is amovie that you just have to watch it is a masterpiece for sure 100percent that is how good this movie is so you just have to go watchthis movie now that is how good this movie is i never saw a movie thisgood in my whole life you must go see this movie that should be a bighit i never saw a movie this good before in my life it was just a goodmovie that you will cry that is how good this movie is you will standup and cheer that is how good and wonderful this movie is hope youenjoy